Non-controversial question

[apothanein kerdos]

How many (both non-Christians and Christians) would be willing to go stay somewhere for a week or even longer in order to have their questions answered?

Before going on, let me stress that this is not an offer. I'm simply curious about something. :)

How many of you would take the time to travel somewhere at any point in the year - whenever you had time - and stay somewhere and just ask questions and receive honest answers concerning faith and philosophy? If the setting were in the Rockies or the French/Swiss Alps where you could take a morning hike, clear your mind, help work on a garden that would help feed everyone staying there at the time, then in the afternoon maybe listen to a lecture on philosophy or religion, then ask questions on the lecture...and finally at night sit around in the living room and ask any question you have and receive an honest answer?

For those that are familiar with early L'Abri, this is what I'm attempting to describe.

I'm just curious how many people - if the opportunity were there - would take it.

[benedict]

How many (both non-Christians and Christians) would be willing to go stay somewhere for a week or even longer in order to have their questions answered?

Before going on, let me stress that this is not an offer. I'm simply curious about something. :)

How many of you would take the time to travel somewhere at any point in the year - whenever you had time - and stay somewhere and just ask questions and receive honest answers concerning faith and philosophy? If the setting were in the Rockies or the French/Swiss Alps where you could take a morning hike, clear your mind, help work on a garden that would help feed everyone staying there at the time, then in the afternoon maybe listen to a lecture on philosophy or religion, then ask questions on the lecture...and finally at night sit around in the living room and ask any question you have and receive an honest answer?

For those that are familiar with early L'Abri, this is what I'm attempting to describe.

I'm just curious how many people - if the opportunity were there - would take it.
sounds quite interesting...:hmm:

[oscarkipling]

I would, sounds ideal really.

[faithfulfriend]

How many (both non-Christians and Christians) would be willing to go stay somewhere for a week or even longer in order to have their questions answered?

Before going on, let me stress that this is not an offer. I'm simply curious about something. :)

How many of you would take the time to travel somewhere at any point in the year - whenever you had time - and stay somewhere and just ask questions and receive honest answers concerning faith and philosophy? If the setting were in the Rockies or the French/Swiss Alps where you could take a morning hike, clear your mind, help work on a garden that would help feed everyone staying there at the time, then in the afternoon maybe listen to a lecture on philosophy or religion, then ask questions on the lecture...and finally at night sit around in the living room and ask any question you have and receive an honest answer?

For those that are familiar with early L'Abri, this is what I'm attempting to describe.

I'm just curious how many people - if the opportunity were there - would take it.

Answers to what kind of questions? Strictly biblical doctrine?

[apothanein kerdos]

Answers to what kind of questions? Strictly biblical doctrine?


Not at all (though I'm sure it would come up). More along the lines of philosophical questions about the world, something like, "Why are we here" or "why do we act morally?" It would be more about the greater questions in life. For Christians it obviously would concern Biblical doctrine, but more along the lines of "Why do we believe this?" For Christians it would be more of a spiritual growth thing than an intellectual growth (though that would occur) - it would be a chance for them to re-evaluate their spirituality and how they view the world.

It would be a place for people that are honestly seeking out an answer - not a place for debate, not a place for one-up-manship, not a place for one view to be presented and no discussion to follow. It would be a place for those honestly seeking and asking questions, where people are allowed to ask any question without receiving a patented, "Well just pray about it" response.

[*Hope*]

Will chocolate, ice cream and coffee be readily available? :)

[Gulah Papyrus]

Sounds like a great idea...I'm in.

[SFASH]

My inherent skeptism would plague me to the point where I would be miserable.

I can stay here and read my Bible which I believe is absolute (though I may not yet have risen to the point where I understand all things it teaches), and be content to not have all the answers to every question I might ask... yet.

And I can glean what other Bible-believers have come to understand or believe over time.

But, no, I would never be able to believe that such a thing were plausable or even possible... even if they sent me bus-fare.

I'm not even too confident that my post has hepled answer your OP correctly. :(

[apothanein kerdos]

My inherent skeptism would plague me to the point where I would be miserable.

I can stay here and read my Bible which I believe is absolute (though I may not yet have risen to the point where I understand all things it teaches), and be content to not have all the answers to every question I might ask... yet.

And I can glean what other Bible-believers have come to understand or believe over time.

But, no, I would never be able to believe that such a thing were plausable or even possible... even if they sent me bus-fare.

I'm not even too confident that my post has hepled answer your OP correctly. :(

Your skepticism is warranted, but such a community did exist in Switzerland from about 1957-1983 (it went on after that, but became extremely postmodern). You can look up L'Abri and read about how it operated in its early years.

That is what I was thinking about doing, something similar to it. I tend to get along better and have better conversations with non-Christians, so I feel maybe God has suited me toward that area. Who knows.

[HisLeast]

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[SFASH]

Your skepticism is warranted, but such a community did exist in Switzerland from about 1957-1983 (it went on after that, but became extremely postmodern). You can look up L'Abri and read about how it operated in its early years.

That is what I was thinking about doing, something similar to it. I tend to get along better and have better conversations with non-Christians, so I feel maybe God has suited me toward that area. Who knows.

I would not doubt for a moment your calling, gift or ability to reach out to men and women like this. I have read a bit about L'Abri and am aware of its existence in the 50s and 60s.

I think its actually an intriguing idea. And by the way, I would have traveled earth and sea to hear Francis Shaeffer speak, though I don't hold to all of his theological beliefs.

I would see it as an exploit to preach Christ to the intellectually inclined unbeliever.

[ConqueredbyLove]

No, I would not be interested. But I already live in a georgeous area and can, and do, bask here with the best teacher of all, the Holy Spirit.

Having said that, I can think of two people I have been witnessing to who are extremely intelligent who might be interested. One, a self-described agnostic, the other, a self-described apostate. Would this meet the demands of these who are super-intelligent? Don't know if you can answer that...but...

If this comes to fruition would you let me know?

In the meantime would you pray for these two? :pray: The former is Ana the latter is Mike....

[SeekingWisdom]

And who would be answering these questions?

[ConqueredbyLove]

Why don't you do it where I live? Sierra Nevada Mountains - I live in the foothills and I know the perfect spot at about 4,000' :) Can you tell I love my area :rolleyes: I would come up for a day then and swim in one of the lakes....

Pictures - this is about 2,500"

http://www.aboutnevadacounty.com/photos/

[9Marksfan]

And who would be answering these questions?

I'm guessing the OPer! Which would be fine - yes, I think it would be a great idea - but to avoid it going the way L'Abri went, it would have to be very carefully "fenced" - esp as our world has become MUCH more postmodern over the past 25 years - in fact the nature of truth and the absolute claims of the Christian faith would almost have to be the only subject of discussion, at first anyway, otherwise it would just descend into postmodernism....

[apothanein kerdos]

I'm guessing the OPer! Which would be fine - yes, I think it would be a great idea - but to avoid it going the way L'Abri went, it would have to be very carefully "fenced" - esp as our world has become MUCH more postmodern over the past 25 years - in fact the nature of truth and the absolute claims of the Christian faith would almost have to be the only subject of discussion, at first anyway, otherwise it would just descend into postmodernism....


I've actually spoke to Udo (son-in-law of Schaeffer) about this a while back. He and Deb (Schaeffer's daughter) have somewhat disassociated themselves with L'Bri Switzerland because of the direction it went.

It would be a challenge - eventually all things succumb to corruption and have to be reformed or torn down.

[apothanein kerdos]

And who would be answering these questions?

I'd be the primary one, but Christian students interested in growing in the philosophy and deeper theology of Christianity would also help. It'd be more community based as far as questions go.

[9Marksfan]

I've actually spoke to Udo (son-in-law of Schaeffer) about this a while back. He and Deb (Schaeffer's daughter) have somewhat disassociated themselves with L'Bri Switzerland because of the direction it went.

It would be a challenge - eventually all things succumb to corruption and have to be reformed or torn down.

It sounds great - if the LORD is opening that door for you, then go through it!